Identifying the VIN on a 1965 Santa Fe

Gdetrailer wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
The actual VIN# should be stamped in the tongue. Usually on the driver's side and sometimes under the propane tanks. I started LE in 1974 and have done many of that era. Never a good idea to buy a vehicle without the title. In fact, unless the law has changed in 15 years when I retired, it is illegal to buy/sell vehicles without titles. If you were in Idaho the local DMV could not help you. You would have to get the State Inspector involved. Since there is only one in the state there is quite a wait. If you want I can PM you his info. Maybe he can give you some help over the phone.

Sorry, but there IS a lot of misinformation in your post.

FIRST, there is NOTHING "ILLEGAL" about buying/selling ANY vehicle "without a title".

Folks who buy and sell ANTIQUE AUTOS do this ALL THE TIME (happens a lot with "Model T" owners when they buy a engine or frame, the engine serial number was used as the "VIN" for the vehicle, changing the engine would change the "VIN").

Fact is, for trailers until the 1990s there was no real set "VIN" number designation or placement. Pretty much each trailer manufacturer was left to create their own SERIAL NUMBER and it was optional where and how that number was placed.

Add in the fact that some states have rules which ignore trailers for VIN numbers if it is older than 10 yrs.. or has not been registered for "x" amount of years.

The problem however starts with how each DMV of each state "treats" the title in order to be able to register it for on the road usage.

A 1965 trailer would have had nothing more than a serial number, some states may be able to handle that and some may not..

Typical places for a serial number is on the drivers side of the tongue "A" frame.. Could be stamped in to the frame, a metal plate attached with rivets or even a paper sticker. Sometimes a paper sticker was attached to the drivers side of the trailer body SIDING..

The problem with the paper stickers was over time they faded or got scraped off..

IF no serial number can be found or their states DMV does not accept the old serial number, the OP NEEDS to check with THEIR DMV on how to go about having a NEW title created.. The new title will have the new VIN number scheme however, the OP MAY lose the original manufacturer name and date of manufacture in the process from the title.

Keep in mind some states are extremely picky and if you are in one of "those" states you may have a big heavy doorstop.

But I do know, many of the antique auto collectors DO manage to eventually get new titles.. Just takes a lot of work and some money..

WOW!! His TT was last registered and (probably titled) in Idaho. Idaho doesn't give diddly squat how you do things in PA. I know the Idaho State Inspector and I thought I could help the guy out. Fine, YOU help him smart ass.

BTW


TITLE 49
MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 5
VEHICLE TITLES
49-502. DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATE OF TITLE UPON SALE OR DISPOSITION -- REASSIGNMENT BY DEALERS. (1) No person shall sell or otherwise dispose of a vehicle without delivery to the purchaser or transferee a certificate of title with an assignment as necessary to show title in the purchaser or transferee

~DJ~ wrote:
The actual VIN# should be stamped in the tongue. Usually on the driver's side and sometimes under the propane tanks. I started LE in 1974 and have done many of that era. Never a good idea to buy a vehicle without the title. In fact, unless the law has changed in 15 years when I retired, it is illegal to buy/sell vehicles without titles. If you were in Idaho the local DMV could not help you. You would have to get the State Inspector involved. Since there is only one in the state there is quite a wait. If you want I can PM you his info. Maybe he can give you some help over the phone.

Sorry, but there IS a lot of misinformation in your post.

FIRST, there is NOTHING "ILLEGAL" about buying/selling ANY vehicle "without a title".

Folks who buy and sell ANTIQUE AUTOS do this ALL THE TIME (happens a lot with "Model T" owners when they buy a engine or frame, the engine serial number was used as the "VIN" for the vehicle, changing the engine would change the "VIN").

Fact is, for trailers until the 1990s there was no real set "VIN" number designation or placement. Pretty much each trailer manufacturer was left to create their own SERIAL NUMBER and it was optional where and how that number was placed.

Add in the fact that some states have rules which ignore trailers for VIN numbers if it is older than 10 yrs.. or has not been registered for "x" amount of years.

The problem however starts with how each DMV of each state "treats" the title in order to be able to register it for on the road usage.

A 1965 trailer would have had nothing more than a serial number, some states may be able to handle that and some may not..

Typical places for a serial number is on the drivers side of the tongue "A" frame.. Could be stamped in to the frame, a metal plate attached with rivets or even a paper sticker. Sometimes a paper sticker was attached to the drivers side of the trailer body SIDING..

The problem with the paper stickers was over time they faded or got scraped off..

IF no serial number can be found or their states DMV does not accept the old serial number, the OP NEEDS to check with THEIR DMV on how to go about having a NEW title created.. The new title will have the new VIN number scheme however, the OP MAY lose the original manufacturer name and date of manufacture in the process from the title.

Keep in mind some states are extremely picky and if you are in one of "those" states you may have a big heavy doorstop.

But I do know, many of the antique auto collectors DO manage to eventually get new titles.. Just takes a lot of work and some money..

The actual VIN# should be stamped in the tongue. Usually on the driver's side and sometimes under the propane tanks. I started LE in 1974 and have done many of that era. Never a good idea to buy a vehicle without the title. In fact, unless the law has changed in 15 years when I retired, it is illegal to buy/sell vehicles without titles. If you were in Idaho the local DMV could not help you. You would have to get the State Inspector involved. Since there is only one in the state there is quite a wait. If you want I can PM you his info. Maybe he can give you some help over the phone.

Thank you!

the serial number format has changed a few times since than..

have the trailer number inspected by your local state police.
then follow whatever procedure the DMV has ....

you may need to have a title research done on it. COST...

the Best of Luck...